Story and photo by
Kathleen Herd Masser
Mirror contributing writer

Aspiring musicians at two Santa Monica schools will no longer have to resort to playing air violin, thanks to VH1’s Save The Music Foundation.
On Monday, VH1 presented the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District with a $50,000 check to be shared by music programs at Edison and Will Rogers elementary schools.
Foundation program manager Lorne Hammond is unquestionably proud of VH1’s work and was happy to be part of the ceremony, held in the Will Rogers auditorium before 200 enthusiastic students. “Since 1997,” Hammond says, “VH1 has given $25 million to more than 1,000 schools in 50 cities, benefiting 500,000 students.” Its ten-year goal is to bring music participation to one million children in public schools.
To support and promote the program, VH1 teams with corporate partners and cable affiliates. Local cable provider Adelphia, for instance, runs commercials soliciting donations of cash and instruments throughout the year.
Tom Whaley is a nightclub and studio session musician who has no intention of giving up his day job as fine arts supervisor for SMMUSD. Whaley recognizes the importance of music in the curriculum and is grateful for VH1’s generosity. “Throughout the district, any fourth- or fifth-grade student who wants to participate has access to an instrumental music program. At our Title 1 schools, music is a required course. We have a pilot program that involves every fourth- and fifth-grader. Our mission is to close the achievement gap.”
McKinley, John Muir, Edison and Will Rogers are designated Title 1 schools because of their large percentage of students from low-income families. The pilot program was implemented first at McKinley, then at Muir, which received VH1 funding in 2002.
Will Rogers principal Maureen Bradford is thrilled. “We have finally realized our dream of being able to have every upper grade student study music. Before, some took lessons and some did not. Now they all go at the same time and don’t have to miss a math class to participate.”
She concedes that the music program is still “a logistical nightmare. We don’t have enough space. We have classes on the stage, classes on the roof. We’ve even used the library.”
But it’s worth the effort. “Music,” Bradford maintains, “is something you take with you all your life, like learning a second language.”
The instruments will come from Charles Music in Glendale. Owner George Sallustio explains, “Will Rogers will get a complete band program, 30-35 trumpets, trombones, clarinets, flutes and percussion instruments. Edison will receive a string package of 40 or so cellos, violas and violins in different sizes. And they’re all top quality.”
Also on hand for the ceremony were two-thirds of the band Hanson, whose 1997 debut album, Middle of Nowhere, sold over ten million copies worldwide, primarily to the same adolescent girls who turn hysteria into an art form wherever the group appears.
Taylor Hanson, 20, and Zac, 18, flew in from Oklahoma to take part in the presentation. Older brother Isaac, 23, was in a Tulsa hospital, being treated for a blood clot in his arm, “from rockin’ too hard,” explained Taylor.
Though the three were home schooled, Taylor acknowledged, “we had really supportive people all around us. One of the first things we did was perform at school assemblies. One elementary teacher was hugely supportive and instrumental in our career. We all know how important music is.”
Zac told the gathered students, “We have been able to travel the world, meet presidents and play for hundreds of thousands of people. Make sure that music doesn’t go away. Learn to think for yourselves through music.”
Taylor agreed. “You’re studying the history of the US. This whole country was built on ideals of independent and creative thinking. Not all of you will go on to become musicians, but playing music helps you make anything possible. You can become creative accountants, creative attorneys or creative CEOs.”
Although the Hansons declined to sing without their absent brother, the program did feature performances by the Will Rogers band and Edison orchestra.
Accepting the check, SMMUSD superintendent John Deasy commented, “Music is a vital and integral part of education. It’s not an elective, not something you add on. This gift is greatly appreciated.”
Despite its party channel image, VH1 takes music education seriously. Included in its promotional materials are articles from Time and Newsweek, as well as a reprint from the journal Neurological Research, each illustrating the positive effects of music on the human brain.
But it’s the kids who explain it best. As one Will Rogers student said in his remarks to the assembly, “Music is a fun way to learn, to get smarter and to learn the basics of life.”
A classmate added, “Music is fun and interesting, and our teacher is really cool.”

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